Surface Treatment of Ti-6Al-4V by Nitriding Heat Treatment Process

Abstract

Titanium and its alloys are widely used as implant material, especially in hard tissue replacement for orthopedic and dental implant applications. However, its poor wear resistance requires proper surface hardening. Body implants are also subjected to loads at varying strain rates. Nitriding is one is method of increasing surface hardness. The samples were heat treated in a muffle furnace in the presence of potassium nitrate. Heat treatment was done in nine groups at the temperatures of 600, 650 and 700 0C during 2, 4, and 6 hr and then cooled in furnace for slow cooling. The highest hardness i.e. 438 is noted at 700 0C temperature, and 6 hr holding time. The mean of hardness is increased by increasing heating temperatures and increasing the holding time.